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Netherlands cuts publicly-funded fertility treatments

Dutch Health Minister Edith Schippers announced on June 15 that fertility treatments including IVF for women aged 43 and older will no longer be covered by the national health insurance scheme. This followed consultations with the Health Care Insurance Board (CVZ). This recommendation was written the Netherlands' Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Association for People with Fertility Problems, FREYA.

It came in response the health minister's request for alternatives to a plan included in the coalition agreement to reduce the number of fertility treatments covered by health insurance from three to one. Both gynecologists and patients also proposed to delay help for women who are likely to become pregnant and to choose equally effective yet cheaper procedures.